A major new conservation effort is underway in West Texas. ConocoPhillips and Texan by Nature (TxN), in partnership with the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Rio Grande Joint Venture, and other collaborators, have announced the Delaware River Basin Restoration Project, a five-year initiative designed to improve ecological health and strengthen economic resilience across the region.
The Delaware River, already strained by drought and declining water flows, is a vital resource for communities, wildlife, and industries alike. The restoration project aims to tackle erosion, sedimentation, and water shortages while enhancing long-term land and water value.
Goals and Activities
The project will prioritize:
- Restoring native grasses and wildlife habitat on priority rangelands
- Improving watershed function and drought resilience
- Enhancing soil health and riparian zones to reduce erosion and boost productivity
- Strengthening forage quality for both livestock and wildlife
Restoration activities may include brush treatments, erosion-control structures such as log jams and boulder clusters, pond excavation, native plantings, and in-stream habitat improvements. Each project site will also be monitored to measure tangible outcomes like increased water retention, improved forage quality, and stronger habitats for species ranging from pronghorn and mule deer to the endangered Texas hornshell mussel.
A Collaborative Model
The project builds on earlier restoration work by the Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico. Funding comes from ConocoPhillips, with Texan by Nature coordinating efforts among conservation scientists, landowners, and industry peers.
“Strong land and water outcomes and positive business outcomes go hand in hand,” said ConocoPhillips’ Jesse Wood. Project leaders emphasized that the model reduces risk and cost for individual landowners by spreading responsibility across partners.
Opportunities to Get Involved
The coalition is extending an open invitation to landowners in Culberson County and beyond to participate. Landowners can work with local experts to design voluntary, low-cost projects tailored to their property. Industry partners are also being asked to contribute by applying best practices in water management, erosion control, and land restoration.
“This project shows what’s possible when landowners and partners come together around a shared vision for conservation,” said Billy Tarrant of the Borderlands Research Institute.
Timeline
- 2024 – Planning began
- 2025 – Site identification continues
- 2025–2029 – Project implementation and monitoring
For more details, visit Texan by Nature’s project page or email programs@texanbynature.org.
